English as a Second Language Program Flourishes at South Holiday Library
2021 Regional Conference
July 29, 2021
Prior to the outbreak of COVID and the changes it necessitated for programming at the South Holiday Library, the branch had a small but thriving ESL (English as a Second Language) program. The program consisted of a classroom-style drop-in class and a few weekly one-on-one individual sessions which were also held in-branch. The English program was, and still is, run and managed by one staff member. It has grown tremendously since transitioning to the online environment. Its reach has extended throughout Pasco County. The format is primarily one-on-one sessions which are tailored to the needs of each individual student. A conversation group class was recently added to the schedule and has been well-received. This presentation will provide participants with information and resources needed to start and maintain an active, growing online ESL program through their libraries. Key topics will include scheduling, structuring effective thirty-minute sessions, online English teaching resources that are available free of charge, and how to manage cancellations and a growing waiting list.
Presenter: Claudia Ratay
Claudia Ratay has been a Library Associate for Pasco County Public Libraries at the South Holiday branch for 2.5 years where she is responsible for adult services including educational and social programming. She currently teaches a successful virtual English as a Second Language program. Prior to joining the library system, Claudia worked as a corporate product development chemist as well as a public school teacher, adjunct professor, and ice skating coach. Her lifelong passion is languages. Claudia first discovered foreign language study in middle school and began her university career as a French major. Her current linguistic focus is learning Welsh, the heritage language of Wales. Claudia holds a doctoral degree in Polymer Science from Clemson University.